Stagecoach East Midlands 19 relaunched

Colin Sellers writes:
It was cold, wet and miserable in Dinnington on Monday 19th December 2011 when Transpire honorary president Gary Nolan, Managing Director, Stagecoach East Midlands, launched the new buses for Worksop route 19. The route has received around £1.5m of investment in the form of 10 new 12.2mtr Scania KUB ADL Enviro300 vehicles. Stagecoach Worksop displayed one of them adjacent to the interchange at Dinnington. Stagecoach staff offered a warm welcome along with mince pies and hot mulled cordial to anyone boarding the bus.

Colin Sellers. Added 22 December 2011

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East Midland Anniversary Dart

Message from Stephen Read, Operations Manager Stagecoach in Chesterfield:

Dear All
To celebrate 85 years of East Midland Motor Services in 2012 I have arranged for a Stagecoach in Chesterfield Dennis Dart to be liveried in the red and ivory as worn between 1956 and 1972. Attached are the very first photo's, taken today (3 December 2011), straight out of the paintshops at Chesterfield Stonegravels depot. The bus is due to make its public debut on Sunday 4th December at the Christmas Cracker in Manchester and should then enter normal service on Monday from Chesterfield depot.
Hope you like it.
Regards
Stephen Read

Stephen Read. Photographs Colin Sellers. Added 3 December 2011

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Routemaster in Newark: Saturday 12 November 2011

For an account
of the day on
FOCUS TRANSPORT
website
CLICK

Stagecoach Stratford Blue liveried Routemaster 12565 (RML 2565) will be working in Newark on Saturday 12th November 2011 to celebrate the opening of the new Newark Bus Station.

This same vehicle ran to a similar timetable when the old bus station closed in May 2010. See on this website HERE. (Also, picture right.)

The Routemaster will work the following journeys on 12 November:

Service 1 Balderton - Bus Station - Coddington. 0913 to 1113.

Service 2 Balderton - Bus Station - Newark Road estates. 1228 to 1430.

Timetables for above on Stagecoach website (PDF format) HERE

Service 28 Newark to Mansfield. Depart Newark Bus Station 1550. Arrive Mansfield 1710.

Service 28 Mansfield to Newark. Depart Mansfield Bus Station 1715. Arrive Newark 1847.

Timetables for above on Stagecoach website (PDF format) HERE

Normal fares will be charged.

Mark Butler. Added 10 November 2011

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Free to a good home . . .

John Wragg writes:
I have got a collection of BUSES magazines dating back to January 1964 up to date. Would any of your members be interested in them? They would have to be collected from Ashgate,Chesterfield. Thanks

Please CONTACT US. Messages will be passed on to John.

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1946 Daimler picture request

Phil Thoms writes:
My book on Massey Bros will be published shortly and I wondered if you had a photograph of one of the Chesterfield Massey bodied Daimlers (6 in all) from 1946. Thanks

Please CONTACT US. Messages will be passed on to Phil.

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Any pictures of a Branson's Yeates Riviera?

Pete Watson writes:
I was wondering if any of your members could help with a bit of nostalgia. As a child in the fifties we always went to Blackpool on holiday every year without fail with Branson's, on what was then to me a modern streamlined coach, but I now know was a Yeates “Riviera” bodied coach, which I think may have been a Bedford SB. I would like to build a model of one in Branson’s livery and wondered if anyone has a photograph or could supply me with a registration number?

Messages will be passed on to Pete from the CONTACT page.

I wonder if Branson's Yeates bodied SB looked anything like this picture on Flickr? CLICK

Transpire member Neville Whitmore used to own this Yeates Riviera Bedford SB, new to Felix of Stanley and now with Fowlers of Holbeach. It is seen here in about 1983 at Chatsworth Park with the Sunday School children aboard from St Nicholas Church, Tuxford! It may well have been a similar vehicle to Branson's.

Notes from Neville Whitmore (added 7 September 2011):
The body on my Bedford SB, although built by Yeates was called a "Europa". It was not quite as fancy as a Fiesta.
I THINK that the registration number of Bransons Brdford SB with a Yeates "Fiesta" body was 550 GNU. It would have been new in 1958.

Pete Watson. Added 30 August 2011
Neville Whitmore comments added 7 September 2011.

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Falcon 40 Group: Comings & Goings

VKU 78S
Ex Chesterfield Leyland National VKU 78S has passed to Nottingham Heritage Vehicles in part ex change for another vehicle. More details later.
Nottingham Heritage Vehicles is planing to sell this vehicle on and any one interested should contact Simon Lowing on 07971 105491. If the vehicle is not sold by 04/09/11 then is will be scrapped.

TWJ 340Y
Unfortunately after a lot of consideration this vehicle has now been sold to PVS (Barnsley) Ltd for scrap. The bus was too far gone to save and lack of help and finance was another reason behind its disposal.

RIP TWJ 340Y 1983-2011

Photos
Nottingham Heritage Vehicles is selling off over 250,000 bus photos from all over the country from as little as 10p a print. Anyone interested should contact Simon Lowing to arrange a viewing or Visit www.nottinghamheritagevehicles.co.uk

Daniel Shaw
Chief Operating Officer
Falcon 40 Group
www.falcon40group.org.uk

Daniel Shaw. Added 27 August 2011

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Seats disappeared

Some time in August the interior seats from ex Chesterfield Dennis Falcon TWJ 340Y were removed without permission of the Falcon 40 Group. If any bus group is offered a full set of seats please get in touch with us or if anybody knows who might have taken them please get in touch with us. The police are involved and all information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Daniel Shaw
Chief Operating Officer
Falcon 40 Group

To contact Daniel please use the contact page on the Falcon 40 website HERE

Daniel Shaw. Added 26 August 2011

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Bus magazines free to a good home!

Roy Mills writes:
I have 483 mint copies of BUSES magazines, dating back to 1969, though not quite complete 42 years, and 65 copies of Buses Focus, Buses Extra etc, again in mint condition.

I now need the space, and do not want to throw 40 years of Mags, so I will give them away to anyone willing to collect the rather large collection.

Should anyone be interested, I live in Sutton Coldfield.

Please CONTACT us and include your name, phone number and email address. Your message will be sent on to Roy who will then contact you directly.

Roy Mills. Added 9 August 2011

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Daniel Shaw. Added 9 August 2011

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Now the Chesterfield CHEF

Shayne Howarth writes: 34581 is the first of six Dennis Darts to receive “Chesterfield Chef” branding for service 51 on Friday 27th May 2011. 34576/7/8 and 34582/4 are expected to be similarly treated.

See Focus on Flickr HERE and HERE

Shayne Howarth. Added 31 May 2011

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Chesterfield Chief

Shayne Howarth writes: 47320 seen on Saturday 28th May 2011 – the first of six (47317-47322) which are branded the “Chesterfield Chief” for service 39.

See Focus on Flickr HERE and HERE

Shayne Howarth. Added 30 May 2011

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Hulley's 90th Birthday celebration

By Andrew Bagshaw (2 May 2011)

Andy writes: Hulley's of Baslow staff past and present were joined by members of Transpire The Chesterfield Bus Society and friends for the 90th birthday celebration of the company held at The Institute in Ashford in the Water on the eve of the Royal Wedding day April 29th 2011. Organised by Transpire Comittee member and Hulley's driver Dennis Vickers events included an evening tour from Chesterfield Town Hall using a bus from the current Hulley's fleet which followed route 1 to Bakewell via Baslow then on to Middleton by Youlgrave driven by Roger Kaye. Time was allowed for photo stops en route before the onward journey to Ashford where a buffet meal was to be enjoyed and a presentation of Hulley's memorabilia was on show including a fairly comprehensive display of photographs from the collection of Andrew Bagshaw from the 1921 Ford Model T to the latest buses of 2011 which included the new Alexander Enviro 200 bodied Dennis Dart MX11 CZM. The latter was the subject of a surprise cake made by the very talented Catherine Green which was cut by Operations manager Richard Eades who was also presented with a special certified framed presentation of photographs of buses from the Hulley's of Baslow fleet spanning the 90 years which read Hulley's of Baslow 1921 - 2011 celebrating 90 years of excellent service. Mr Eades commented that this would be taking up pride of place on his office wall. Pictured is the cake being cut by Richard Eades Operations Manager for Hulley's of Baslow.

. . . and two pictures from Phil G:

Andrew Bagshaw comments & pictures added to website 15 May 2011
Phil G pictures added 29 May 2011

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Added to website 29 March 2011

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39 surprise!

By Tony Wilson (16 February 2011):

Below is what I believe might be a 'first' on the 39 (well actually it's a Stagecoach!). Never seen one of these stray onto what is ostensibly a full time Solo service. It rather took me by surprise when I happened to glance up the road and saw it in the distance at around 2.00pm today. I did manage to capture it, albeit something of a grab shot, so please excuse if it is not as sharp as one would like to have.

Added to website 17 February 2011

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Added to website 2 December 2010

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Stagecoach in Chesterfield snow report

By Stephen Read, Operations Manager, Stagecoach in Chesterfield (1 December 2010):

The snow took its toll during the afternoon of Tuesday 30 November. We had operated a pretty comprehensive network throughout most of the day but as darkness arrived and the temperatures dropped news arrived that Slack Hill had been closed and very shortly afterwards it started to become apparent that things were getting rapidly worse as the weather closed in.

At about 1800 hours I made the decision, for the first time since 1990 (yes 20 years!) to pull all buses off the road. In Chesterfield this is actually quite an easy exercise as the vast majority come back to the depot in the early evening anyway. Those few that 'stay out' were recalled. However, the message was 'get people home' then come in.

It proved to be the right decision as news started to filter through that several buses were in trouble so no less than 5 parties of 'late shift' staff were dispatched in 4 Solo's and of course, the 1976 open-top Fleetline!! These went to rescue buses and drivers and managed to get all but two buses back to the depot. The two that were left abandoned was an Excel at Unstone that had a mechanical problem and an MAN near Hillstown that we could not get to. Both were retrieved the next day.

On Wednesday 1 December no services were sent out. Several forays were made by a Solo acting as both a staff bus and to assess the road situation, but it was clear that it was totally unsafe to operate. Late morning a couple of Solo's were sent out on a short 25 operating between Whittington Moor and Chatsworth Road (Morrisons) until mid-afternoon but only 5 passengers were carried!

The decision was taken to abandon any further attempts and we will try again on Thursday but the forecast is grim.

Our National Express unit has fared reasonably well with most operating taking advantage of the rather better conditions on the motorways and trunk roads.

Stephen Read
Operations Manager, Stagecoach in Chesterfield

For buses in the snow on this website CLICK

For buses in the snow on Focus Transport website CLICK

Stephen Read. Added to website 2 December 2010

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Stagecoach X17 changes and requested input

Stagecoach in Chesterfield apologies for the delays on the X17 (Matlock - Chesterfield - Sheffield). Many fares have been reduced by 10%, an extra bus has been put on with Christmas approaching and tracking equipment has been introduced.

More information on Stagecoach website HERE.

In addition, Stagecoach are seeking the views of passengers on a proposed new timetable due to to be introduced in January 2011.

More information on Stagecoach website HERE.

Oliver Foreman added to website 24 November 2010

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Important survey for all Derbyshire bus users

Link found by Phil G. Notes by Oliver Foreman (21 November 2010):

In the current economic climate, Derbyshire County Council have to cut the amount of money they spend on public transport.

£5.4 million per year goes into supporting the bus network, including school transport students who are not legally entitled to subsidised travel. About 85% of the County's buses are run commercially, leaving 15% requiring Council support, particularly on the west side of the County.

£1.3 million per year goes to supporting travel concessions for young people as part of the b line scheme.

Although the government pays the bulk of senior citizens travel concessions, £460,000 goes towards topping it up for Derbyshire residents (for example, half fare on the trains and free travel on Dial-a-Ride).

The above information comes from a wordy but informative document in PDF format on the Derbyshire County Council website HERE.

Preferably having read the above first, you are invited to complete a questionnaire to help the Council make the best decisions in difficult circumstances. The online questionnaire may be found HERE.

The document linked to two paragraphs above concludes by listing all tendered Derbyshire bus services which cost more than £4 per passenger journey to provide. Unfortunately, if you try to view these on your computer you will have to twist your head sideways! To save your neck, below is a summary of the services which run to or near Chesterfield and the recommendations for modification:

96 Chesterfield - Alfreton run by TM Travel weekday evenings & all day Sunday .
All subsidy withdrawn (leaving running Monday to Saturday commercial journeys operated by Stagecoach in Chesterfield).

17 Chesterfield - Matlock Sunday evenings run by Trentbarton (tied in with 6.1, 6.3, 7.1, 140 & 215 [one journey])
Retain 6.1 (Belper - Matlock) and 140 (Sunday daytime but not evening because of poor usage). Make other arrangements to maintain one 215 journey (Chatsworth - Matlock).

170 (Barrow Hill) - Chesterfield - Bakewell - (Buxton); 260 Castleton - Edale; one journey 66 Tideswell -Chesterfield; one journey 68 Buxton - Castleton; 174 Baslow - Castleton, all run by Hulleys on Sundays.
Retain 66 Tideswell - Chesterfield & 170 Chesterfield - Bakewell.

66A/67 Chesterfield - Manchester run by TM Travel daily.
Retain Chesterfield - Tideswell section of route which forms part of 66/66A service.

170 Chesterfield - Bakewell, 171 Chesterfield - Youlgreave, 172 Bakewell - Matlock, 173 Bakewell - Monsall Head, 178 Bakewell - Shutts Lane run by Hulleys (Monday to Saturday evening journeys only).
Withdraw subsidy to all.

33 Chesterfield orbital run by TM Travel Monday - Saturday.
Withdraw subsidy but with replacement service provided for Brimington Rd North / Station Road Brimington.

6.1 Derby - Matlock (weekday evenings), 17/17A Chesterfield - Matlock (Sundays & weekday evenings), 140 Matlock - Alfreton (weekday evenings); 172 Stanton - Matlock (weekday evenings) run by Trentbarton (6.1) & Stagecoach in Chesterfield.
Maintain weekday evening services on revised timetable for 6.1 & 17 and Sunday daytime services on 17.

89A Chesterfield - Derwent, 222 Derwent Dams shuttle run by TM Travel on Saturdays and Sundays.
Complete withdrawal of subsidy.

3 Ashgate - Chesterfield - Royal Hospital (tendered part of service is Calow Lane, otherwise commercial) run by Stagecoach in Chesterfield Monday to Saturday.
Withdraw subsidy but divert another tendered service to serve Calow Lane.

77 Worksop - Chesterfield (Sunday morning journeys only) run by Stagecoach East Midlands on Sundays.
Withdraw subsidy for Sunday morning journeys (70 covers Staveley to Chesterfield).

PRONTO Heath - Chesterfield (Sunday 0801 departure only) run by Stagecoach East Midlands on Sundays.
Withdraw subsidy.

44B Chesterfield - Newbold, 66 Chestrfield - Baslow, 89 Chesterfield - Barlow run by TM Travel Friday & Saturday late evening only.
Withdraw subsidy.

For the County Council website page with links to all the above CLICK.

Phil G & Oliver Foreman added to website 22 November 2010

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Doyles Electrics & Rutland nostalgia

Andrew Bagshaw reports (17 October 2010):

I suppose one way for a bus operator to find extra income is to branch out into an alternative business as well as maintaining a fleet of buses. Maintaining being the word as Doyle's of Alfreton have recently set up an auto electrics division under the title Doyle's Auto Electrics. Adam Willington is the man in charge of this new line of business and he told me recently whilst visiting G & J Holmes to undertake some work on an Optare Solo that he specialises in bus and coach electrics and is available to help bus operators, preservation groups or individuals for a reasonable fee.

Adam may be contacted at Doyle's Auto Electrics, K & H Doyle Coaches Ltd, Lydford Road, Alfreton. Derbyshire, DE55 7RQ, telephone 01773 546546 mobile 07967 319609 or at www.doylescoaches.co.uk.

The Rutland on Stephenson Place in Chesterfield has recently advertised their what's on guide up until Christmas 2010 in various local newspapers and magazines and I have attached a copy but alas is that an Enviro 300 or an Alexander Dennis pictured outside? Closer inspection will reveal no other than one of the infamous Chesterfield Daimler Roadliners circa 1970s in a 2010 advert ok fine whatever !

Andrew Bagshaw added to website 19 October 2010

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Streetlite visits Clay Cross

Andrew Bagshaw reports (6 October 2010):

G & J Holmes have had a special guest at the depot today 6th October as the sales team from the Mistral Group dealership came to visit with the new Wrightbus Streetlite demonstrator. Pictures of this visit below.

Streetlite is the new Small but Smart bus bringing Wrightbus technology and innovation to the midi bus market, along with more than just a dash of style and verve and it conforms to the very latest UK & EC regulations. It delivers a tried and tested driveline, a totally new Independent Front Suspension ( IFS ) System and innovative use of composite materials in a highly weight sensitive segment of the market. For a small bus, Streetlite is brimming with big possibilities and is equally at home navigating busy city streets or quiet country backroads. It's the first vehicle of its kind to be certified to European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval. Streetlite is definately a winner when it comes to looks and style and has the distinctive Wrightbus product family look sharing many of the styling cues from the groundbreaking StreetCar and the popular Gemini double decker. However Streetlite is not just a pretty face. It has a number of practical features to minimise whole life costs. Examples are the headlights which are positioned outside the impact zone and there is a one piece bumper below the front grill for easy replacement. The drivers' area has been carefully designed to provide a highly productive working enviroment and is fully ISO 16121 compliant for ergonomics and all round visibility. The new Streetlight has more features than you can shake a stick at and the dedicated website www.wright-bus.com/streetlite will provide further details.

Andrew Bagshaw

Pictures by Andrew Bagshaw taken at G & J Holmes depot, Clay Cross. Wednesday 6th October 2010.

For more on the Wrightbus Streetlite on the FOCUS TRANSPORT website CLICK

Andrew Bagshaw added to website 7 October 2010

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Oliver Foreman passing on information from David Gambles. Added to website 29 September 2010

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Congratulations Nathan!

Oliver Foreman reports (10 September 2010):

Congratulations are in order for 19 years old TRANSPIRE member Nathan Cartwright who recently passed his PCV driving test.

Here he is on camera just before 4pm on Friday 10 September 2010 near the Badger Box, Annesley. Nathan has just dropped off his final pupils on a Redfern's school run. He looks somewhat exhausted! Hope he did not do that damage top n/s corner.

Oliver Foreman added to website 11 September 2010

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Volvo Olympian Farewell Day

Neville Whitmore writes (7 September 2010):

At very short notice, but posted for several days before on the Transpire web site, an evening trip was arranged in one of Stagecoach in Chesterfield's Volvo Olympians which are due for imminent withdrawal, on the evening of Saturday 28th August, after most of the remaining Olympians had been used in service during that day. Twenty five members and friends enjoyed a run along the 66 route to Buxton which was at one time operated by Stagecoach and which the very bus we had for the trip was undoubtedly used, this was Volvo Olympian P160 KAK which had had its former fleet number, 160, added together with some lettering on the front panel to mourn the passing of the Volvo Olympian in Chesterfield. A short stop in Buxton allowed some to seek refreshment before returning to Ashford in the Water where a refreshment stop was made before returning to Chesterfield. Thanks must go to Shayne Howarth for organising the event and to Stagecoach in Chesterfield for making the vehicle available.

Shayne Howarth took these photographs on 28 August 2010

123 16460 and a new Scania at Stonegravels prior to the evening tour

16460 at Eyam on the evening tour.

16459 in service during the afternoon on New Beetwell Street

For video on Focus Transport website CLICK

Shayne Howarth photographs added to website 4 September 2010
Neville Whitmore comments added to website 11 September 2010

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Lathalmond visit

Neville Whitmore writes: (22 August 2010):

Eleven members and friends of Transpire and the Chesterfield 123 Preservation Group made the journey to Scotland for the annual open weekend at the Scottish vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond near Dunfermline. Our transport was our Ex Strathtay Alexander bodied Leyland Tiger 438 (D278 FAS) which never faultered on either the outward or return journey, except when the driver at the time found a button in the cab that he had not seen before and decided to press it to see what happened, we lost all the gears and came to a standstill, but luckily the problem was soon rectified and we were on our way again! After booking into the Dunfermline Travelodge and meeting two more members who had travelled to Scotland on Wednesday (but were coming back with us), we travelled by service bus into Dunfermline and then on to Kirkaldy for a meal. The buses we used for this were certainly well loaded and were smart and clean.

Saturday morning saw the party having breakfast at Dobbies Garden World in Dunfermline before setting off the few miles to Lathalmond. For anyone who has not been before it is well worth a visit as it must be the biggest bus museum in the world (unless you know different) with a vast array of buses on display (and not just Scottish ones, although they are in the majority). Of particular interest to our party was an Ex Malta bus, I stand to be corrected but I understand it was a Ford (Fordson?) Thames with a body built in Malta (by Barbara?). It now seemed to be licenced in this country as 522 XUT, but at some time on Malta carried the reg. DBY 001 amongst others. Most of our party sat in the drivers seat and noticed the very cramped space it offered.

Some of us then left early on Saturday afternoon, on the free bus to Dunfermline, in order to visit Edinburgh, travelling from Dunfermline on one of the tri axle Scanias of Stagecoach in Fife over the Forth Bridge. Others in the party took advantage of an open top tour over the Forth Bridge although this was so popular that a closed top vehicle acted as duplicate!

I am pleased to say that unlike last year, Princes Street is now fully open again (it had been closed due to tram works) and we were able to board and inspect a new tram which should be in service by 2012. Later on we met other people from our party and some of us rode round a bit on Lothian buses, surely one of the smartest fleets in the country. My initial reaction to the "halequin" livery was that I did not take to it, but over the years it grows on you and now it is being replaced by a style based on the old madder and white livery, I feel a bit sorry, but the latest livery looks the part. There is certainly no comparison between any of the Lothian liveries and that of First, why oh why do they persist with that insipid livery reminiscent of the closing years of the twentieth century? It is not so much the colours (after all their trains look quite attractive) but the way they are applied!

We returned to Dunfermline the way we had arrived, on a Scania Triaxle of Stagecoach in Fife, some of us boarding at the bus station (St. Andrews Square) which seems to handle the longer distance bus services together with the Scottish Citylink coaches, whilst some boarded at an on street stop close to where they had been eating and drinking. By the time it had left Edinburgh it had a capacity load with about thirty people standing (although no one was left behind), not bad for a 21.25 departure although by this time it was running about fifteen minutes late. Another stop was made close to the Forth Bridge when a passenger was ill and had to alight but the driver waited for them until they had recovered and were able to reboard, credit is due to him for doing so! We arrived in Dunfermline in plenty of time to catch the bus back to the Travelodge.

The "breakfast at Dobbies" was repeated on Sunday morning before heading back to Lathalmond for another look round and opportunity was taken to sample more of the free buses operating on the service to Dunfermline including a very spirited ride on a Cummins engined MCW Metrobus with an Alexander body. The Tiger left Lathalmond at 3 o'clock, picking up the remnants of the party in Dunfermline before heading south and the road back home. Everyone agreed that they had had a good weekend!

Neville Whitmore

This article was held back awaiting photographs which have yet to be received.
There are photographs of the running day held at Lathalmond earlier in the year on
the Focus Transport website HERE

Neville Whitmore added to website 31 August 2010

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'My Life' by George Holmes

Members may be interested to know that the founder of G & J Holmes Coaches Mr George Holmes has now had his autobiography entitled 'My Life' by George Holmes published by Derbyshire County Council Cultural & Community Services Department as a 49 page A4 size softback and actually written back in 2002. It went to press in early August and is a very interesting read not just for G & J Holmes followers but also for anyone with an interest in the town of Clay Cross not forgetting of course a great insight into the past history of George Holmes himself. Copies can be ordered via myself price TBA.

More information HERE

Andrew Bagshaw added to website 17 August 2010

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National Express Elite Chesterfield challenge!

Oliver Foreman was sent through Stagecoach East Midlands Yahoo Group this photograph of the new Volvo National Express coach in Lincoln (though I am told by Colin Sellers it is allocated to Peterborough), possibly on its first day of working, Friday 13 August 2010 HERE.

This model is due to be delivered to Stagecoach in Chesterfield soon. Who will send in the first website photograph????

Oliver Foreman added to website 17 August 2010

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Summertime in Chesterfield

Tony Wilson took this mid-summer shot at the Terminus Publications stall in Chesterfield Market on 12 August 2010.

TRANSPIRE members Roger Kaye and Arthur Harrington (how does that cigarette keep alight?) strive to keep the goods dry!

When the sun shines, the stall is well worth a visit. Open every Thursday (though closed 26 August 2010) in Chesterfield market near the pump.

Vist the website of Terminus Publications HERE.

To see Roger's photographs around Exmoor (the subject of his next video) on the Focus Transport website CLICK.

Meanwhile . . .

Words Oliver Foreman; photographs Tony Wilson (market stall) & Colin Sellers (buses) added to website 13 August 2010

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123 Group photograph

Shayne Howarth writes (31 July 2010):

I have sent a group shot of some 123 members on board the shuttle bus at the Peterborough rally

Shayne Howarth added to website 1 August 2010

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123 Group acquire another bus

134 at Stagecoach Chesterfield Stonegravels depot having been moved from New Street.
The vehicle has been acquired by the Chesterfield 123 Preservation Group (see details below).
Photograph Shayne Howarth 31 July 2010

Neville Whitmore reports (30 July 2010):

The Chesterfield 123 Preservation Group have purchased the Ex Bournemouth convertible open top Daimler Fleetline NFX 134P which has been a familiar sight in Chesterfield for several years. It has been used as an outreach bus, serving soup and sandwiches etc. to homeless and other people at various locations in and around Chesterfield and was painted in a green and cream livery akin to that once used by Chesterfield Corporation. It was manned by volunteers from various churches in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, the actual owner being a member of the Church Army based at St. Thomas Church, Brampton. Last year it was replaced by the Dennis Condor (G77 OKY) and has been out of use for almost a year, so the good work performed by NFX 134P and its volunteers continues! After a thorough inspection and road test by members of the 123 Preservation group it was decided to go ahead with the purchase. The long term plan is that it will be used as a source of spares for the group's other vehicles but in the short term it is to be stored at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley. It is in a fairly good condition and for the moment will be kept intact. It is an interesting vehicle, for as well as being a convertible open topper (and how many of those can you find which still have their roof?), it has a flat floor with just a one step entrance (as modern low floor buses) as specified by Bournemouth supposedly because Bournemouth had a rather elderly population who did not like steps.

Amendment to above (2 August 2010): The vehicle was collected from the CSG yard at Chesterfield on Saturday 31st July, but after the discovery of a leaky radiator it was thought prudent to move the bus a lesser distance and was taken to the former TM Travel yard at Staveley instead of Butterley, where further assessment is to take place within the next few days.

ABOVE: NFX 134P in summer 2010; BELOW: in former days. Photographs Andrew Bagshaw

G77 OKY is the bus that has replaced NFX 134P on the 'soup run'. Photograph Martin Arrand

Neville Whitmore added to website 31 July 2010
Shayne Howarth photograph added 1 August 2010
Neville Whitmore amendment added 3 August 2010